Brunei Darussalam is seeking to strengthen its digital sovereignty as it moves towards developing an AI-capable Data Centre, National Sovereign Cloud with AI Compute and a Large Language Model (LLM), with greater emphasis on building local expertise and reducing long-term dependence on foreign vendors.
Minister of Transport and Infocommunications Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Awang Mohammed Riza bin Dato Paduka Haji Mohammed Yunos said international technology and expertise will continue to play a role, but their involvement should be accompanied by the transfer of knowledge, technology and expertise to local companies and professionals.
He said this during Monday’s Second Meeting of the 22nd Legislative Council (LegCo) session in response to questions from LegCo members Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md Yusof and Yang Berhormat Dayang Chong Chin Yee.
The questions centred on preparations to involve local vendors and skilled workers in planned digital infrastructure under the Digital Brunei Masterplan 2030, as well as efforts to build government technical capabilities and reduce long-term reliance on foreign vendors.
The minister said digital infrastructure can be developed with technology and expertise from abroad, but digital sovereignty ultimately depends on the country having the capability to manage and develop the technology itself.
Government tenders are generally open only to companies registered in Brunei Darussalam, except where special approval is granted, providing local firms opportunities to gain experience and expertise through government projects.
While local companies may still need to collaborate with international firms to access the latest technology and expertise, such partnerships should contribute to knowledge and technology transfer and local workforce development.
For government projects requiring external vendors, officers should also be actively involved from the early stages through to deployment and maintenance, with training and knowledge sharing incorporated into projects.
The minister said the E-Government National Centre (EGNC) is playing an important role in strengthening the government’s capacity to develop applications in-house, with several applications already successfully developed internally.
These capabilities will be further strengthened through GovBN 2.0 using an Agile approach, allowing more applications and digital solutions to be developed, maintained and improved by the government itself.
The local ICT ecosystem is also being strengthened, with 437 ICT companies currently registered in Brunei Darussalam.
The Authority for Info-communications Technology Industry of Brunei Darussalam (AITI) will introduce the IKTIRAF initiative as an accreditation mechanism for local ICT companies, assessing areas including competency, experience, local workforce, financial capability and track record.
Local ICT firms were also encouraged to invest more in research and development, develop specialised expertise in areas such as AI-powered fintech, cybersecurity, agritech and digital health, and pursue strategic partnerships, consortiums and joint ventures to compete for larger and more complex projects.
Meanwhile, the Brunei ICT Industry Competency Framework (BIICF), which identifies jobs and skills required by the ICT sector, currently covers 39 job roles and is expected to expand to 60 roles by 2027.
The minister said developing local talent must progress alongside advances in technology to ensure the workforce remains equipped for future requirements.
“We do not want merely to buy technology; we want to build capabilities. We do not want merely to implement projects; we want to leave behind expertise,” he said.
Digital sovereignty, he added, does not mean developing everything locally or shutting out international expertise, but ensuring Brunei has the capability, choice and control to determine how its data is managed, systems operated and technology used in the national interest.
Foreign vendors, where required, should serve as “a bridge towards building local capabilities rather than a path towards continued dependence”, he said.
The goal for 2030 and beyond is for Brunei to have modern, secure and resilient digital infrastructure alongside competitive local companies, a highly skilled workforce and the technical capability to develop and manage its own digital solutions.
SOURCE/AUTHOR : BORNEO BULLETIN/Izah Azahari
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Audience Ceremony with Coordinating Minister for Public Affairs and Minister for Defence, Republic of Singapore
His Royal Highness receives in Audience Coordinating Minister for Public Affairs and Minister for Defence, Republic of Singapore
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Message of Condolences following the Tragic Incident of a Turkish Military Cargo Plane Crash
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Meeting of the Steering Committee with the Sectoral Committees for the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations
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Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs Republic of Singapore Audience Ceremony
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Get-Together Ceremony with Citizens and Residents of Brunei in United Kingdom and Ireland
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Sovereign's Parade Ceremony of the 24th Intake of the Officer Cadet School, Defence Academy, RBAF
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Sunat Hajat Prayer, Reading of Surah Yasin and Special Doa, Brunei Darussalam Students Overseas
Official Academic Visit by Muslim Scholars Association of Malaysia at Islamic Da'wah Centre
Commemorative Products Press Conference in conjunction with Diamond Jubilee Wedding Anniversary
Brunei-Cambridge G.C.E. 'O' Level and IGCSE Examination Results for October/November 2025 Session
Agreement Signing between Warisan Shipping Line and DP World Logistics Malaysia Sendirian Berhad
Message of Congratulations on Occasion of the Islamic Republic of Iran's National Day
Tahlil Ceremony and Appointment Letter Presentation, Jubli Perak Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mosque
Presentation of Appreciation Certificates and Apointment Letters, Selangan Mosque Takmir Committee
Distribution of His Majesty's Personal Gift of Dates, Ministry of Primary Resources and Tourism
Urgent Treated Water Pump Valve Replacement Works at Bukit Barun Water Treatment Plant Stage 4 & 5
Enforcement of Control of the Capture, Importation of Small-sized and Egg-Bearing Lobsters and Crabs
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Religious Ceremony Awaiting the Results of the Sighting of the New Moon of Ramadhan 1447 Hijrah
Temporary Half Lane Road Closure at Jalan Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha and Tungku Highway
Doa Kesyukuran Ceremony in conjunction with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince's 52nd Birthday
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Flag Handover Ceremony to the National Contingent competing at the 6th Asian Beach Games
Brunei's Commitment to Fostering Peace, Promoting Social Harmony & Advancing Sustainable Development
Book Launching Ceremony, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Turkiye
Audience Ceremony with the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, FAO and Delegation
38th Session of Food and Agriculture Organisation Regional Conference Launching Ceremony
Signing of Agreement between Kedai Kampung & Agrodynamics Antarabangsa Brunei Sendirian Berhad
27/04/2026 Opening of the Final of the National Musabaqah Al-Qur'an Reading for Adults 1447 Hijrah/2026
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Establishment of Tilawah Al-Qur'an Scheme for Children as Foundation for Noble Morals and Personalities
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Appointment & Confirmation of Deputy Permanent Secretary (Policy and Management), Ministry of Health
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Flowmeter and Valve Replacement Works at the Agis-Agis Water Treatment Plant, Belait District
Bilateral Meeting with the President and the Vice President of the People's Republic of China
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